Dana White announced that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will headline UFC 324 for the interim lightweight title. The winner is positioned to challenge Ilia Topuria next, making the bout a major pivot point in the 155-pound title picture. White also revealed that Kayla Harrison vs. Amanda Nunes will co-headline the card for the women’s bantamweight championship. The announcement, published by UFC on 2026-06-26, gives the promotion a clear blockbuster to anchor its early-2026 schedule and sets up two title fights with major divisional implications.
UFC president Dana White confirmed on June 26 that Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett will meet in the main event of UFC 324, with the interim lightweight championship on the line. The winner will be positioned as the mandatory challenger to the undisputed titleholder, making this one of the most consequential bouts the 155-pound division has seen in years.
Gaethje needs no introduction at lightweight, though verified divisional ranking data was not included in the announcement details. Pimblett, ranked sixth at lightweight, enters the fight at 31 years old with a 23-4 record and represents England's Next Generation MMA Liverpool camp. Standing five-foot-ten with a 73-inch reach, "The Baddy" is one of the division's more active strikers, landing 5.49 significant strikes per minute at 52 percent accuracy. He also averages 1.2 submission attempts per 15 minutes, reflecting the well-rounded attacking game that has carried him up the rankings.
Looming over the entire lightweight picture is Ilia Topuria. The Spanish-Georgian star, ranked number one pound-for-pound at just 29 years old, carries a 17-1 record and lands 4.81 significant strikes per minute with nearly two takedowns per 15 minutes. Whoever emerges from UFC 324 with the interim belt will face "El Matador" next.
The co-main event adds another layer of star power, with Kayla Harrison challenging Amanda Nunes for the women's bantamweight championship. Nunes, 38, holds a 23-5 record and brings elite finishing ability across both striking and grappling, averaging 4.55 significant strikes per minute, 2.73 takedowns per 15 minutes, and 51 percent striking accuracy throughout her career.
Why it matters
- The interim lightweight title fight gives the 155-pound division a clear number-one contender to face Topuria.
- Pimblett's submission threat and striking volume set up an intriguing style clash at the top of the card.
- Nunes vs. Harrison for the women's bantamweight title gives UFC 324 two championship fights with genuine divisional stakes.
- The card anchors the UFC's early-2026 schedule with back-to-back title implications on a single night.
